On a humid evening in Port Harcourt, past the roar of party buses and the banners fluttering in political wind, there lies a fragile silence. Rivers PDP leaders have made a public plea: “Do not leave our party, Governor Fubara.”
This isn’t just flattery. It’s desperation. At stake is the identity of the PDP in a state torn by political schisms. Factions aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike have pulled away, others are rumored to be eyeing APC. The beacon of stability now seems to be the sitting governor — a leader they know, a name with electoral credibility.
Yet, that beacon sways. Because somewhere in the loss of structure, in the cuts of court rulings, and in the smell of broken promises, people begin to consider new paths.
The PDP’s appeal isn’t mere party politics; it’s a battle for the future — whether the party remains the vessel of collective identity and action, or fractures into pieces looking for meaning elsewhere.
What This Means for Nigerian Politics
* Party Fluidity vs Party Roots
Nigeria’s history is littered with defection. When governors or lawmakers leave for convenience, not ideology, it weakens platforms and deepens cynicism.
* Power vs Principle
Politics in Rivers (and broadly Nigeria) often wrestles between who has power vs who holds principle. Loyalty is moral capital, but it must be backed by service.
* Crisis Management vs Political Warfare
The emergency rule was framed as a crisis measure. But now the post-emergency phase is as political, or more political, than the suspension itself. How that phase is managed will define Rivers’ stability.
Stay or Leave, but Let It Be a Decision
The PDP’s plea to Fubara is urgent but fragile. It asks him not just to stay in a party, but to embody a belief — that political identity, promises, and community ties matter more than convenience.
Also Read: Probe Rivers State Treasury: Adegboruwa Lays Out Questions the NASS Must Address
Whether Governor Fubara remains depends on trust: whether he convinces the party base that he belongs there, not as a placeholder but as a leader who honors the PDP’s name.
For Rivers, for the party, for the voters — the moment is now. Because loyalty is cheap; leadership proves something.
